Device for demonstrating engraving on silverware



Oct. .23, 1962 N..EW|NG ETAL DEVICE FOR DEMONSTRATING ENGRAVING 0NSILVERWARE Filed Jun} 20, 1961 Unit This invention pertains todemonstrating apparatus, more especially to apparatus designed to assistthe purchaser of flatware table silver in selecting a pleasing style ofletter for the marking or engraving of the pieces purchased.

Various styles of letter are used in the marking of silverware, forexample script, block, Gothic, Old English, and so forth, as well asmodifications of conventional styles, designed especially forsilverware. However, it is difficult for many persons, merely by lookingat a printed chart, or pictures illustrating the use of different styleof letter, to select the one which will be most satisfactory whenactually engraved upon a silver piece of the pattern purchasedsometimeswith disappointg results. Even though the merchant may have samplespoons, for example, actually engraved with different styles of letterto assist the purchaser in making a selection, there is no certainty,unless one of these marked sample spoons be of the same pattern which isbeing purchased, that the style of letter which may look well on thesample will be as pleasing when applied to a different pattern.

The present invention has for its objects the provision of simpleapparatus whereby it is made readily possible to exhibit to a purchaserthe actual appearance of various styles of letter as applied to theparticular silver pattern in which the purchaser is interested. Afurther object is to provide apparatus whereby it is readily possible todemonstrate the appearance of two or three letters arranged as a. groupto form a monogram upon a selected piece of silver. A further object isto provide apparatus of the above type of simple construction which mayreadily be manipulated in giving the desired demonstration, either bythe merchant or the Would-be purchaser: which is durable; occupies butlittle space; and which is of a character such that it may be placedupon the sales counter or table without damage to the latter and whichis of pleasing appearance and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will bepointed out in the following more detailed description and by referenceto the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view, with parts broken away, show ing one embodimentof the present invention and illustrating how it is used indemonstrating the appearance of a group of letters as they would beapplied to the handle, for example, of a silver spoon;

FIG. 2 is an edge view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section to larger scale than FIG. 1, on line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary bottom view, to smaller scale, of the cover ofthe device;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary section on the line 5-5 of FIG. 1, showing themanner in which the transparent alphabet-carrier overlies the articlewhich is to be engraved during the demonstration;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary plan view showing three concentric alphabetcarriers having thereon letters so styled that when letters of the threecarriers are juxtaposed they form a pleasingly designed monogram; and

FIG. 7 is a plan view, to smaller scale than FIG. 1,

illustrating an interchangeable article support, which may Patented Oct.23, 1962 constitute a removable portion of the base of the device,thereby to adapt it to various styles of article.

Referring to the drawings, the character A (FIG. 1) designates theapparatus as a Whole, this apparatus comprising the base 10 which ishere shown, for example, as circular in plan and which may be made ofany suitable rigid material, for example wood or a plastic. Theapparatus also comprises the cover member '11 ('FIGS. 1, 2 and 4) whichmay be of the same material as the base or of a different material, andwhich is also circular and of the same outside diameter as the base, andwhich is here shown as secured in assembled relation to the base byscrews 5. However, other means of uniting the cover and base, forexample, quick-acting clamps or spring clips may be employed within thescope of the invention.

The base it) has the annular, flat, horizontal upper sur face 12 (FIG.3) from Whose center rises the cylindrical boss or pivot member 13 whichmay or may not be integral with the lower portion of the base aspreferred.

The cover '11 is provided at its underside (FIG. 4) with a fiat,horizontal marginal rib I la FIG. 4) which rests upon the surface 12 ofthe base when the parts are assembledthe cover having the central bore1.4 (FIG. 4) which receives the boss 13 of the base. The boss serves toposition the cover relatively to the base and also as a pivot aboutwhich the alphabet-carriers, hereinafter referred to, may rotate. Ashere shown, the cover -11 has the central upstanding boss 15 (FIG. 2.)which serves to provide sufficient thickness of material for theformation of the bore 14 without adding unduly to the weight of thedevice.

The base '10 is provided with a radial trough 16 which extends inwardlyand preferably into the central boss 13, this trough being designed toposition that part, for exam ple the handle H, of a piece of tableflatware in the performance of the demonstration. As shown in FIG. 1this trough i6 is holding, in position for inspection, the handle H of aspoonthe particular pattern of handle shown being one which tapersgradually toward its tip. The trough 16 is of a depth such that when thehandle H is placed in the trough, the upper surface of the handle, whichis that to which the engraved lettering is to be applied, projectsslightly above the fiat surface 12 of the base. As shown, the trough :16is formed in the material of the base, proper, but it is contemplatedthat the trough may be formed in a removable portion of the base, forinstance a segmental portion 10x (FIG. 7) so that by providing aplurality of such segmental portions, having troughs of different shape,the device may readily be set up to demonstrate with widely differentsilver patterns.

The cover 11 is provided with an open slot '17 ('FIG. 4) which, when thecover and base are assembled, registers with the trough 16. However,this slot in the cover is of greater width than that of the trough andhas sidewalls 18 which curve downwardly, preferably with convexsurfaces, to their intersections with the undersurface of the cover.

As may be noted from inspection of FIGS. 3 and 4, that portion of theundersurface of the cover which lies between the flat rim ll la of thecover and the boss 13, is spaced from the surface 12 of the base whenthe parts are assembled, so as to provide a chamber C (FIG. 3) beneaththis part of the coverthis chamber being annular and concentric with theboss '13.

the boss 13 with a turning fit, so that the boss 13 constitutes a fixedpivot about which each alphabet carrier may turn. These carriers 22a,22b and 22c, as shown in FIG. 1 are of progressively greater outsidediameters so that when the parts are assembled, as shown in FIGS. 1 and3, a marginal portion of each of these carriers is exposed to viewwithin the slot 17 of the cover. Upon the margin of each of thesecarriers is arranged an alphabet consisting of circumferentially spacedletters of a predetermined style, (for instance :block letters, Gothicletters, script letters, etc. the letters on all of the several carriersbeing of the same style. As shown in FIG. 1, for simplicity, theseletters are shown as block letters. Desirably between the letter Z andthe letter A of each alphabet there is left a blank space of a width atleast as great as one letter.

The cover is provided with a plurality of parallel slots 20a, 20b and200 (FIG. 4) corresponding in number to the number of alphabet carriersand within these slots there are arranged drive rollers 21a, 21b and210, respectively, the several rollers being mounted to turn upon a pin22 which is driven into or otherwise fixed within the substance of thecover. The drive rolls are of such diameter and the axis of the pin 22is so located that the lower peripheral portions of the respectiverollers contact the exposed margins of the several alphabet-carriers,respectively, While the upper portions of the respective rolls areexposed above the upper surface of the cover. These rolls are desirablyof resilient material and elastically press down upon the margins of therespective alphabetcarriers, but in any event they are so devised as toprovide friction surfaces contacting the carriers. By turning one of therolls by hand, where it is exposed at the exterior of the cover, thecorresponding alphabet-carrier will be rotated about the boss 13 as apivot, so that it is thus possible to cause any selected letter on anyselected carrier to overlie the trough 16 in the base.

In the use of this device for demonstrating the approximate appearanceof an engraved article, that portion of the article, for example thehandle H of a spoon, is inserted in the slot 16 in the base and, in sodoing, is slipped beneath the margins of the several alphabet carriers22a, 22b and 22c as shown in FIG. 5. Since these carriers aretransparent, the handle of the spoon may be seen clearly beneath thecarriers (FIG. 1). Because the trough 16 is so dimensioned that aportion of the article, which is to be engraved, slightly projects abovethe horizontal surface 12 of the base upon which the several carriersrest, the insertion of the article in the trough tensions the carrierswhere they extend across the trough between the parallel edges of theslot 17 in the cover, so that the carriers closely contact the article.

With the parts in this position the drive rolls may be turned so as tobring any selected combination of letters to overlie the handle H of thespoon so that the letters on the transparent carrier appear as thoughactually on the handle. Thus the observer is able clearly to appreciatethe approximate appearance of the article when marked with letters ofthe particular style thus demonstrated.

It is contemplated that the merchant may provide himself With aplurality of these devices, each having alphabet characters whoseletters are in accordance with one of the most popular styles. On theother hand, it is readily possible by removing the cover from the baseto substitute alphabet carriers having letters of any desired style sothat merely by carrying in stock sets of alphabet carriers with lettersof difierent styles, the merchant is able to exhibit and demonstrate tothe purchaser a wide selection of lettering.

Since each of the alphabet carriers is provided with a blank spacebetween certain letters, it is possible, if but a single letter is to beengraved upon the article, to turn the carriers so that blanks appearwhere no letters are desired, and since the carriers are at differentradial distances inwardly from the edge of the device, it may readily bedemonstrated as to the location longitudinally of the part to beengraved at which a single letter would provide the most pleasingappearance.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, it is possible, by providing the severalcarriers 23a, 23b and 230 with specially designed letters, to form amonogram such as would ordinarily require careful custom design andapplication. Thus, as shown in FIG. 6 the letters A, B and C of thethree carriers are so shaped that, when assembled as shown, they form amonogram M of unitary appearance and pleasing design. It will be obviousthat the other letters of the same alphabet would, in the same way, beshaped, so that when associated to form the desired combination, amonogram of similar design would result.

As above suggested, since the shapes of spoon handles of difierentpatterns vary widely, it may be desirable to form the article receivingtrough 16 in a par-t of the base it) which is removable andinterchangeable with others, the several parts having troughs ofditferent shape. Thus as indicated in FIG. 7, the part 10a of the base10 wherein the trough 16 is formed may be a segment-shaped part whichslides into a suitably shaped recess in the base.

While one desirable embodiment of the invention has herein beenillustrated and described by way of example, it is to be understood thatthe invention is broadly inclusive of any and all equivalents within theterms of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for use in demonstrating the approximate appearance of anarticle of table silver when engraved with a letter of a selected style,said apparatus comprising a support having a substantially flat, annularupper surface, a circular boss coaxial with said surface, an annularalphabet-carrier of transparent material having thereon the letters ofthe alphabet of a selected style, said carrier having a central openingfor the reception of said boss, the latter constituting a pivot elementabout which the carrier may be rotated, the boss having, in its uppersurface, a trough for holding the part of the article which is to beengraved, said trough being of a depth such that, when said part of thearticle is placed therein, the surface of the article which is to beengraved lies in a plane above said flat, annular surface of thesupport, a cover which overlies said support, the cover having a slotwhich registens with the trough through which the article is visible,

means securing the cover to the support, the annular carrier spanningthe trough and overlying that surface of the article which is to beengraved, and means for turning the carrier about said boss thereby toregister any selected letter with the article, the means for rotatingthe annular carrier about the boss comprising a manually actuatable,friction roll whose periphery engages the annular carrier.

2. Apparatus for use in demonstrating the approximate appearance of anarticle of table silver when engraved with a letter of a selected style,said apparatus comprising a support having a substantially fiat, annularupper surface, a circular boss coaxial with said surface, an annularalphabet-carrier of transparent material having thereon the letters ofthe alphabet of a selected style, said carrier having a central openingfor the reception of said boss, the latter constituting a pivot elementabout which the carrier may be rotated, the boss having, in its uppersurface, a trough for holding the part of the article which is to beengraved, said trough being of a depth such that, when said part of thearticle is placed therein, the surface of the article which is to beengraved lies in a plane above said flat, annular surface of thesupport, a cover which overlies said support, the cover having a slotwhich registers with the trough through which the article is visible,means securing the cover to the support, the annular carrier spanningthe trough and overlying that surface of the article which is to beengraved, and means for turning the carrier about said boss thereby toregister any selected letter with the article, a plurality ofindependent annular,

transparent, flexible alphabet-carriers arranged to rotate about saidboss, the several carriers being of progressively greater outsidediameters so that the outer margin of each respective carrier is exposedto view, each carrier having on its exposed margin an alphabetconsisting of letters of the selected style, and means for rotating eachindividual carrier about said boss whereby any selected letter on anycarrier may be arranged to overlie an article resting in said trough.

3. Apparatus for use in demonstrating die approximate appearance of anarticle of table silver when engraved with a letter of a selected style,said apparatus comprising a support having a substantially fiat, annularupper surface, a circular boss coaxial with said surface, an annularalphabet-carrier of transparent material having thereon the letters ofthe alphabet of a selected style, said carrier having a central openingfor the reception of said boss, the latter constituting a pivot elementabout which the carrier may be rotated, the boss having, in its uppersur face, a trough for holding the part of the article which is to beengraved, said trough being of a depth such that, when said part of thearticle is placed therein, the surface of the article which is to beengraved lies in a plane above said flat, annular surface of thesupport, a cover which overlies said support, the cover having a slotwhich registers with the trough through which the article is visible,means securing the cover to the support, the annular carrier spanningthe trough and overlying that surface of the article which is to beengraved, and means for turning the carrier about said boss thereby toregister any selected letter with the article, the cover having aplurality of slots each overlying the exposed margin of one of saidcarriers, respectively, a drive roll in each slot, pivot means for theseveral drive rolls, each drive roll being of resilient material and ofa diameter such that its periphery frictionally engages the margin of acorresponding carrier.

4. Apparatus for use in demonstrating the approximate appearance of anarticle of table silver when engraved with a letter of a selected style,said apparatus comprising a support having a substantially fiat, annularupper surrace, a circular boss coaxial with said surface, an annularalphabet-carrier of transparent material having thereon the letters ofthe alphabet of a selected style, said carrier having a central openingfor the reception of said boss, the latter constituting a pivot elementabout which the carrier may be rotated, the boss having, in its uppersurface, a trough for holding the part of the article which is to beengraved, said trough being of a depth such that, When said part of thearticle is placed therein, the surface of the article which is to beengraved lies in a plane above said flat, annular surface of thesupport, a cover which overlies said support, the cover having a slotwhich registers with the trough through which the article is visible,means securing the cover to the support, the annular carrier spanningthe trough and overlying that surface of the article which is to beengraved, and means for turning the carrier about said boss thereby toregister any selected letter with the article, the letters of thealphabet, carried by the several carriers, being of such configurationthat when letters selected from the alphabets of the respective carriersare registered, concomitantly, with the article to be engraved, they somerge with each other as to form a monogram.

5. Apparatus for use in demonstrating the approximate appearance of anarticle of table silver when engraved With a letter of a selected style,said apparatus comprising a circular, rigid base having an upstandingcentral circular boss surrounded by a flat, horizontal, annular surface,a circular cover having at its underside a bore for the reception ofsaid boss, means for uniting the cover to the base, the cover having anannular marginal rim at its underside which contacts said horizontalupper surface of the base and a vertically shallow, annular chamberbetween said annular marginal rim and its central bore, the horizontalsurface of the base constituting the floor of said chamber, a pluralityof transparent flexible alphabet-carriers of progressively increasingoutside diameter arranged within said chamber, so as to turn about saidboss as a pivot, the exposed margin of each respective carrier havingthereon the letters of the alphabet, all of said letters being of aselected predetermined style, a plurality of drive rolls arranged withinslots in the cover and whose peripheral surfaces frictionally engage theexposed margins of the respective carriers, the rolls being exposed atthe exterior of the cover whereby they may be turned manually, therebyto rotate the carriers about said boss, the base having a radial troughin its upper surface for positioning that part of the article which isto be engraved, the trough being of a depth such that, when said part ofthe article is placed therein, said part projects above the plane of thehorizontal upper surface of the base, the cover having a slot whichregisters with the trough in the base and through which the article isvisible, the edges of said slot being operative to hold that part ofeach transparent carrier, which spans the trough, in taut engagementwith the upper surface of the article resting in the trough.

References Qited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,670,159 Maxon May 15, 1928 1,888,838 Smith Nov. 22, 1932 1,888,839Smith Nov. 22, 1932 2,020,100 Boyd Nov. 5, 1935 3,011,271 MillspaughDec. 5, 1961

